Suction indicator for vacuum cleaner



Dec. 10, 1957 W. c. RYKERT M5733 SUCTION INDICATOR FOR VACUUs/I Filed Aug'. 19, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 www gg/iger@ il? l@ 1957 l w, c, RYKERT 281,733

SUCTION INDICATOR FOR VACUUM CLEANER -Fi1ed Aug. 19, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 fj a .51 34e Tm 29d /J/ Ila. I 25C Il .214" 32 ya i ,I

^ 32C l 5 30 33 31 393 l 30a 27 fi .a4 30@ 305 b 27d 30a l l', I Q1-y C W 24? 34a 21% 45 26 345 505 50 Q4 49a (41 40 J5 Q9 49a I A y s 46 g55 4,5 26 gf fryer/c 6 2" g Q7 43 Wf//WM/t @l-Z 4j 5@ 5 y @l m M ffyyw United States Patent sea SUC'I 10N INDICATOR FOR VACUUM CLEANER Willard C. Rykert, Hinsdale, Ill., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application August 19, 1955, Serial No. 529,500

7 Claims. (Cl. 116-114) This invention relates to a signal device for indicating when a dirt separating member or the like in a structure such as a vacuum cleaner has received the desired maximum deposition of dirt.

In vacuum cleaners and similar filtering devices, means are customarily provided for conveying a stream of fluid such as dirt-laden air through the device with this uid or air being intercepted by a separating member to lter the solid foreign material therefrom. Thus, in a vacuum cleaner, a bag or other separating iilter is provided that is permeable to the air but substantially impermeable to the dirt in order to separate the dirt from the air stream. As dirt becomes deposited on the separating member, the resistance to air tiow through this member, and thus through the vacuum cleaner, gradually increases. When this resistance has reached the point where the eiciency of the cleaner drops below a desired value, it is necessary either to remove the dirt separating member and replace it with a new one where the member is disposable or to remove the separating member and remove the dirt therefrom when the member is of the non-replaceable type.

One of the features of this invention is to provide an improved signal device for indicating when a separating member for separating solid material from a lluid stream, such as for separating dirt from an air stream in a vacuum cleaner, has reached the desired maximum deposition of foreign material thereon in which the signal member is operable only when this predetermined maximum deposition has been reached and not before.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings. Of the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view through one end of a tank type vacuum cleaner showing a signal device illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure l but showing the portion of the vacuum cleaner on which the signal device is mounted in a dilerent position;

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the signal device of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but partially broken away to illustrate internal construction features of the signal device;

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 4 but further broken away in order to show additional internal construction features of the invention;

Figure 6 is a detail perspective View of the integral signal member and operating spring of this embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional View through the signal device of this invention with the signal member in indicating position showing that the dirt separating member had deposited thereon the predetermined maximum desired deposition of dirt, this view being taken substantially along line 7-7 of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing the Signal member in non-indicating position before the maxiice mum deposition of dirt on the separating member has been achieved;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 9--9 of Figure 7.

In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the signal device 10 is mounted on the inside of the hinged lid 11 of a tank type vacuum cleaner. This hinged lid normally closes the end opening in the body 12 of a tank type cleaner defined by a rim portion 13. This lid 11 is mounted for oscillation about the hinge 14, which is attached to the rim portion 13 and to one side of the lid. The inner surface of the lid which contacts the outer surface of the n'm portion 13 is sealed to this rim portion when the lid is closed by means of a gasket 15.

F-orming a part of the lid 11 is an outwardly extending tubular portion 16 to receive the tubular end 17 of the usual exible hose (not shown). The end 17 is releasably connected to the tubular portion 16 by means of an outwardly extending pin 18 on this tubular end 1'7 releasably engaging an annular inner groove 16a in this tubular portion 16. This arrangement for releasably connecting the end 17 of the hose to the vacuum cleaner is purely conventional. Furthermore, the operation of such a hose in drawing dirt-laden air into the body of the vacuum cleaner is also conventional.

The tubular portion 16 of the lid 11 includes an inwardly extending part 16b to which is attached a cylindrical member 19 so that air drawn through the hose and through the tubular portion 16 will be conveyed into the interior of the Vacuum cleaner. This cylindrical member serves to removably retain a porous dirt separating member 20 in place so that the dirt-laden air stream will be conveyed into the interior of the dirt separating member as illustrated in Figure 1 in order to separate the dirt therefrom. In the embodiment shown, this dirt separating member 20 is of the conventional type employing a porous paper bag portion 20a to which is attached a thin rubber diaphragm 20b having a small opening at substantially the center thereof so that the diaphragm can be slipped over the member 19 in the manner illustrated in Figure 1. In order to aid in retaining the separating member 20 in place, the member 19 is provided with an annular flange 19a adjacent to its outer end with the portion of the diaphragm 20b contacting the outer surface of the cylindrical member 19 being located inwardly of this flange when the dirt separating member is in place.

With the above construction the dirt separating member 20 is readily replaced when it contains the desired maximum amount of dirt. The rubber diaphragm 20b provides a seal to aid in preventing the escape of dirt and also permits easy removal and replacement of the dirt separating member. The dow of air into the interior of the dirt separating member 20 is caused by a customary motor operated fan unit (not shown) having the customary construction and operating in the customary manner.

When the dirt separating member 20 has been freshly installed, there is very little dilerence in suction on the interior 21 of the dirt separating member and the exterior 22 of the dirt separating member. This is true because the pressure drop through the bag portion 2da of the dirt separating member is relatively small when the member is relatively clean. However, as dirt is deposited on the interior surface of the bag portion 21M, this diierence becomes progressively greater so that the pressure on the interior 21 of the paper bag, and thus the interior 23 of the tubular portion 16 leading to the bag, increases. As the air, therefore, has a progressively greater diiiculty in getting through the bag portion 20a, the suction at the exterior 22 of the bag, which is still within the cleaner body 12, becomes relatively great. Therefore, when the dirt separating member has separated a relatively large amount of dirt, `the air pressure in the space 22 will be relatively small while the air pressure within the spaces 21 and 23 will be relatively great.

The signal device of this invention operates to signal when the dirt separating member has received the maximum desired deposition of dirt. However, means are provided so that the signal member operates only when this maximum desired deposition has been achieved and not earlier. The signal device of this invention is operated by the difference in the air pressure on the interior 2i and the exterior 22 of the dirt separating member when the maximum desired deposition of dirt on the separating member has been reached.

The signal device of this invention is a self-contained unit which may be constructed as such and then may be mounted on any vacuum cleaner or similar device to operate in the manner described. In the embodiment shown, this signal device comprises a housing 24 defined by opposed dish-shaped members 25 and 26 provided with outwardly extending rims 25a and 26a held together by means of spaced rivets 27a. The dish-shaped members Z5 and 26 are spaced apart from each other to provide a space sutcient to locate the principal operating portions of the signal device of this invention. In the embodiment shown, the signal device is mounted in place in the hinged lid 11 by mounting the rims 25a and 26a on the annular inwardly extending part 11a which is integral with the lid 11. The signal device is held in place on this part 11a by means of spaced screws 27 so that first dish-shaped member 25 extends inwardly of the space 28 defined by the inwardly extending part or rirn 12in while the second dish-shaped member 26 extends outwardly of the rim 11a.

Extending across the interior of the housing 24 is a exible, stretchable diaphragm 29 made of rubber or the like. The edge 29d of this diaphragm is held between the rim 25a of the irst member 25 and the edge 30a of a plate 30, which is located against the rim 26a of the second dish-shaped member 26 so that it extends across the interior of the housing 24.

The edge portions of the diaphragm 29 are held immovable between the rim 25a of the member 25 and the edge 30a of the plate 30 except for a movable central portion 29a on the diaphragm. This central portion 29a is located within and extends across a recessed part 25h on the member 25. This permits movement of the central portion 29a of the diaphragm within this recessed part 25h. The plate 30 is provided with an opening 30b opposite the recessed part 25h, thereby giving further freedom of movement to the movable portion 29a of the diaphragm 29.

Attached to the diaphragm 29 on the side thereof adjacent to the interior of the cleaner is a motion transmitting stud 31 having an outwardly extending annular base 31a positioned against the diaphragm and an inwardly extending post 31]; that is substantially axially aligned with the stud 31. This stud is held in place on the diaphragm by any means desired, such as by the nut 32.

The post portion 31b on the end of the stud 31 extends through an opening 33a in a leaf spring 33. This leaf spring 33 operates rapidly with a snap when it has been pressed from one side or the other beyond a central position. The enlarged central part 31C of the stud bears against this spring 33 when the part 33b extends through this opening 33a.

The spring 33 is a part of a signal member 34 shown in detail in Figure 6. This signal member is of sheet metal and includes a signal portion 34a, a movable end portion 34b forming an extension of the signal portion 34a and a pair of spaced substantially parallel sides 34e located on opposite sides of and spaced from the spring 33. As can be seen in the drawings, and particularly in Figure 4, the spring 33 is integral with the signal member 34. The

spring 33 and integral signal member 34 may be made from a single sheet metal stamping.

The ends of the sides 34C of the signal member 34 opposite to the signal portion 34a are joined by an integral transverse bar portion 34d. The opposite ends of the bar portion 34d where it joins the sides 34e are provided with notches 34e. This aids in mounting the signal member 34 and thus the spring 33 in the device in the manner illustrated in the drawings, and particularly in Figures 4 and 9. Thus, the end of the signal member containing the transverse bar portion 34d is mounted by clamping the bar portion 34d between transverse strips 35 and 36. These strips are mounted on spaced inwardly extending and internally threaded posts 37 and 38. The two strips 35 and 36 are held in place by means of bolts 39 extending through the strips engaging the posts. With this construction, the bar portion 34d is clamped between the strips 35 and 36 with the adjacent end of the spring 33 being movably mounted between the strips 35 and 36. In order to secure this mounting, the bolts 39 extend through openings in the strips 3S and 36 and through the notches 34e. The end 33h of the spring 33 which is adjacent to the bar portion 34d is bent as illustrated in Figure 6. This end is also located between the strips 35 and 36 and this bending causes the spring 33 to be arched as indicated in the drawings, and particularly in Figures 7 and 8, and also causes the spring to act as a snap-acting spring.

In order to adjust the extent of arching of the spring 33, which adjusts the resistance to movement of the spring and which in turn adjusts the pressure at which the diaphragm 29 moves to operate the signal device, this end 3315 is notched as indicated at 33e and contacts the side of the screw 40 whose threads have a very steep pitch. The screw 40 is attached to a nut 41 so that the screw and nut may be rotated as a unit. This screw and nut unit is slidably mounted within the rotatable hollow body 42 of a mounting member 43. This mounting member 43 is formed with the body 42 having the same shape as the nut 41 so that when the mounting member 43 is rotated the nut 41, and thus the screw 40, will also be rotated. As the screw 40 engages the notch 33e and the adjacent side of the bar portion 34d, the screw and the nut 41 also move longitudinally with respect to the hollow body 42. Due to the tapering wedge effect of the screw 40, this engagement of the screw with the notch 33C causes the end 33h of the spring 33 to move toward and away from the bar portion 34d. As previously described, this affects the arch of the spring 33 and thus controls its resistance to movement.

The mounting member 43 is rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the second dish-shaped member 26. The mounting member 43 can thus be used to adjust the resistance of the spring 33 so as to accommodate the signal device for operation under all conditions and with all types of dirt separating members 20. In order to indicate the position at which the spring 33 has been adjusted, the mounting member 43 is provided with an integral pointer 44, which may operate against a scale if desired on the member 26 to show the adjustable setting of the spring 33.

The mounting member 43 is rotatably held in this position by providing outwardly extending coplanar side portions 43a that are held between the outer surface of the member 26 and the inner surface of the mounting plate 45. This mounting plate is provided with a raised central portion 45a of generally cup-shape housing the outer ends of the screw 40 and the nut 41. The mounting plate is also provided with coplanar, oppositely located ears 45b which are held against spacing washers 46 by bolts 47. These spacing washers provide space for the laterally extending side portions 43a of the mounting member 43.

With this construction, the differences in air pressure on opposite sides of the diaphragm 29 causes the signal device to operate. Thus, when the internal air pressure in the spaces 21 and 23 within the dirt separating bag 20 and the intake conduits 16 and 17 become suciently great, this pressure acting on the interior of the recessed part 25b of the member 25, and thus above the diaphragm 29 as shown in Figures 7 and 8, causes the diaphragm to move from its position shown in Figure 8 where the signal member is out of signaling position toward the position shown in Figure 7 where the signal member is in signaling position. This movement does not occur, however, until pressure of the diaphragm 29 conveyed through the stud 31 causes the snap-acting spring 33 to move from the position shown in Figure 8 to the position shown in Figure 7. When this occurs, the movement of the spring 33 from its position on one side of the signal member 34 to its position on the other side of the signal member causes the movable end portion 34h to bend at approximately the area where it joins the signal member sides 34C. This bending then causes 'the signal portion 34a to move to the position shown in Figure 7 where this signal portion 34a is directly opposite a transparent window 48 in the lid 11.

This transparent member 48 may be made of any transparent material, but is preferably made of a transparent plastic such as Lucite. When the signal portion 34a has reached this position an indicia such as the letter F 34g on the signal portion 34a becomes visible through the window and shows the operator that the dirt separating member should be cleaned. Where a replaceable bag is used the bag should, of course, be replaced by a clean one. In order that the signal portion 34a will show beneath the window 34, the signal portion 34a is bent to extend through aligned openings 25C, 29b, and 301e in the members 25 and 30 and the diaphragm 29. The members 25 and 30 and the diaphragm 29 in the areas adjacent to the aligned openings are contiguous so as to form a sandwich construction with this portion of the diaphragm 29 between and supported by the members 25 and 30.

In the signal device of this invention, means are provided for returning the signal portions to their initial position automatically upon opening the vacuum cleaner or similar structure to remove or clean the dirt separating member. Thus, in the embodiment shown in the drawings and described herein, access is had to the separating member 20 by opening the lid 11 around its hinge 14. So long as the lid is closed, the bent end 49a of a lever 49 bears against the edge of the rim portion 13 of the cleaner on which the lid is mounted. This lever 49 extends into the interior of the signal device through an opening 2Gb in the second dish-shaped member 26. The portion 49h of the lever 49 that is adjacent to this opening is bent in two right-angle bends to extend rst into the opening 49 and then along the inner surface of the member 26. This inner portion 49C of the lever constitutes a major length of the lever 49. This inner portion 49e is narrower than the outer portion 49d and when free is bent in a curve as is illustrated in Figure 2. The lever 49 may be made of sheet metal with the bent inner portion 49e operating as a leaf spring.

When the lid 11 is closed, the outer end 49a of the lever bears against the rim 13 of the vacuum cleaner. The extreme inner end 49g of the lever is thereby held pressed against the inner surface of the second dish-shaped member 2.6. In this position, as is illustrated in Figure l, the arched inner portion 49e of the lever is held out of contact with the spring 33 so that the spring is free to move from the position shown in Figure 8 to the position shown in Figure 7 to move the signal portion 34a of the signal member to viewing position in the manner illustrated above, thereby indicating that the dirt separating member needs to be replaced or cleaned. When the lid 11 is opened to remove the separating member 20 for cleaning or replacement, the end 49a of the lever is released from its contact With the rim 13 of the cleaner. This releases pressure on the inner portion 49e of the lever so that its natural springiness causes it to arch to the position shown in Figure 2. This arching causes this inner portion 49e to contact the spring 33 and press it back beyond its central position adjacent to the sides 34C of the signal member. When the spring has reached this position, it immediately snaps back to its starting position shown in Figure 8. Thus, the lever 49 constitutes an automatic return for returning the signal device to its initial non-indicating position as soon as the lid 11 is open. In order to assist this movement of the lever 49 on opening and closing the lid 11, the portion 49b of the lever between the portion 49e and 49d is used as a fulcrum that is movable about a fulcrum bar 50. This fulcrum bar has a central portion 50a located principally outside the member 26 and oppositely extending end portions V50b located within the member 26. This construction causes the bar 50 to operate as a fulcrum and also assists in holding the lever 49 in position on the member 26.

As is pointed out above, the interior of the recessed part 25b of the dish-shaped member 25 is in communication with the interior 23 of the tubular portion 16, and thus with the interior 21 of the dirt separating member 20. This communication is provided by means of a hole 16e in the portion 16 having one end communicating with the space 23 and the other end communicating with the space 28 in the lid 11. From this inner end of the hole 16e, there is provided a tube 51 having one end communicating with the hole 16e and the other end communicating with the interior of the recessed part 25b. With this arrangement, air pressure within the spaces 21 and 23 is conveyed to one side, the upper side shown in Figures 7 and 8, of the diaphragm 29.

Communication of the space 22 on the interior of the cleaner, but the exterior of the bag 20 with the interior of the member 26, and thus with the inner surface of the diaphragm 29, is provided through the various openings in the member 26. These openings include the mounting openings for the lever 49, the fulcrum bar 50, the screw 40 and nut 41 unit, the mounting member 43, and similar installation openings. v

Having described my invention as related to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, it is my intention that the invention be not limited by any of the details of description, unless otherwise specied, but rather be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as set out in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. In a vacuum cleaner including a casing and a dirt separating member therein permeable to air but substantially impermeable to dirt having a relatively high pressure upstream side on one side of the separating member and a relatively low pressure downstream side on the other side of said separating member, a signal device comprising: a movable diaphragm; means operatively connecting one side of said diaphragm with said upstream side; means operatively connecting the other side of said diaphragm with said downstream side, said connecting means serving to urge said diaphragm in one direction due to relative pressure changes on said sides; an integral signal member and snap-acting spring including a base portion, a movable portion adjacent to said diaphragm, an indicating portion movable between an indicating position and a non-indicating position upon movement of said movable portion and a snap-acting leaf spring portion having one end integral with the movable portion, the other end adjacent to said base portion and an intermediate portion bowed and operatively associated with said diaphragm for moving said movable portion and indicating portion from said non-indicating position to said liridicating position when said pressurel change on the diaphragm has reached a predetermined value indicating a desired maximum deposition of dirt on said separating member; and means for moving said spring ends relatively toward and away from each other for adjusting the resistance to movement of said spring.

4 2. In a vacuum cleaner including a casing, a movable normally closed cover therefor and a dirt separating member therein permeable to air but substantially impermeable to dirt having a relatively high pressure upstream side on one side of the separating member and a relatively low pressure downstream side on the other side of said separating member, a signal device comprising: a movable diaphragm; means operatively connecting one side of said diaphragm with said upstream side; means operatively connecting the other side of said diaphragm with said downstream side, said connecting means serving to urge said diaphragm in one direction due to relative pressure changes on said sides; a signal member operatively connected to said diaphragm and movable to indicating position only when said pressure change has reached a predetermined value indicating maximum desired deposition of dirt on said separating member; and means for moving said signal member from indicating position to non-indicating position upon opening said cover.

3. In a vacuum cleaner including a casing and a dirt separating member therein permeable to air but substantially impermeable to dirt having a relatively high pressure upstream side on one side of the separating member and a relatively low pressure downstream side on the other side of said separating member, a signal device comprising: a movable diaphragm; means operatively connecting one side of said diaphragm with said upstream side; means operatively connecting the other side of said diaphragm with said downstream side, said connecting means serving to urge said diaphragm in one direction due to relative pressure changes on said sides; a signal member operatively connected to said diaphragm whereby pressure on said diaphragm causes pressure on said signal member; means associated with said signal member including a snap-acting spring preventing substantial movement of said signal member until said pressure change has reached a predetermined value corresponding to the resistance of said spring indicating maximum desired deposition of dirt on said separating member; means for adjusting said spring resistance; and means for moving said signal member from indicating position to non-indicating position upon opening said cover.

4. In a vacuum cleaner including a casing having an opening defined by a rim, a movable normally closed cover for the opening and a dirt separating member in the casing permeable to air but substantialy impermeable to dirt having a relatively high pressure upstream side on one side of the separating member and a relatively low pressure downstream side on the other side of said separating member, a signal device comprising: a movable diaphragm; means operatively connecting .one side of said diaphragm with said upstream side; means operatively connecting the other side of said diaphragm with said downstream side, said connecting means servin g to urge said diaphragm in one direction due to relative pressure changes on said sides; a signal member including a base portion, a movable portion adjacent to said diaphragm and an indicating portion movable between an indicating position and a nonindicating position upon movement of said movable portion; a snap-acting spring means operably associated with said movable portion and with said diaphragm for moving said movable portion and indicating portion from said nonindicating position to said indicating position when said pressure change on the diaphragm has reached a predetermined value indicating a desired maximum deposition of dirt on said separating member; a lever having one portion normally contacting said rim and another portion adjacent to said snap-acting spring when the spring is in said indicating position; and means urging said lever toward said spring for moving the spring and thus the indicating portion from indicating position to non-indicating position, said rim contacting portion retaining said lever against said movement so long as said cover is closed but being released to permit said movement when the cover is opened.

5. In a vacuum cleaner including a casing having an opening dened by a rim, a movable normally closed cover for the opening and a dirt separating member in the ycasing permeable to air but substantially impermeable to dirt having a relatively high pressure upstream side on one side of the separating member and a relatively low pressure downstream side on the other side of said separating member, a signal device comprising: a housing within said casing; a movable diaphragm extending across the interior of said housing; means operatively connecting one side of said diaphragm with said upstream side; means operatively connecting the other side of said diaphragm with said downtsream side, said connecting means serving to urge said diaphragm in one direction due to relative pressure changes on said sides; a signal member carried by the housing including a base portion, a movable portion adjacent to said diaphragm and an indicating portion movable between an indicating position and a non-indicating position upon movement of said movable portion; a snapacting spring means operably associated with said housing and with said movable portion and with said diaphragm for moving said movable portion and indicating portion from said non-indicating position to said indicating position when said pressure change on the diaphragm has reached a predetermined value indicating a desired maximum deposition of dirt on said separating member; a lever movable about a fulcrum having one end extending from the housing normally contacting said rim and another portion adjacent to said snap-acting spring when the spring is in said indicating position; and means urging said lever toward said spring for moving the spring and thus the indicating portion from indicating position to non-indicating position, said rim contacting portion operatively retaining said lever against said movement so long as said cover is closed but being operatively released to permit said movement when the cover is opened.

6. The signal device of claim 5 wherein said lever portion within the housing is bowed when the lever ends are free, the inner end of said lever portion bearing against the housing and the outer end bearing against said rim substantially to hold said lever against said movement when said cover is closed.

7. In a vacuum cleaner including a casing and a dirt separating member therein permeable to air but substan tially impermeable to dirt having a relatively high pressure upstream side on one side of the separating member and a relatively low pressure downstream side on the other side of said separating member, a signal device comprising: a movable diaphragm; means operatively connecting one side of said diaphragm with said upstream side; means operatively connecting the other side of said diaphragm with said downstream side, said connecting means serving to urge said diaphragm in one direction due to relative pressure changes on said sides; a signal member operatively connected to said diaphragm whereby pressure on said diaphragm causes pressure on said signal member; means associated With said signal member including a snapacting spring preventing substantial movement of said signal member until said pressure change has reached a predetermined value corresponding to the resistance 0f said spring indicating maximum desired deposition of dirt on said separating member, the snap-acting spring including a curved snap-acting portion; and adjusting means operatively associated with said portion for adjusting the degree of curvature thereof to .adjust the resistance of the spring to movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

